To achieve consistency in data sets and to assist in interpretation and comparison of results, at the beginning of this program, the Land and Water Resources R&D Corporation (LWRRDC) requested that common protocols be established for sampling, data production and reduction, validation and completeness, for use by the separate projects of the joint program. It was recognised that the methods of analysis vary slightly to suit local needs of each laboratory and project, but a common basis was necessary for assessment of data, to provide consistency and for valid comparisons to be possible. LWRRDC also requested that a Quality Assurance project (QA) be conducted as part of the Minimising the Riverine Environmental Impact of Pesticides R&D Program. Both the original recommendations for sampling and analysis and the results of the QA are described in this publication.